Seesaw.



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UNITED STATES JOHN G. FOUTS, OF WICHITA, KANSAS.

SEE SAW.

No. esmas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 27, 19o?.

Application filed October 9,1906. Serial No. 338,181.

To all 'whom fit may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN G. FoU'rs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seesaws, of which the following is a specification.

The' purpose of this invention is to devise an amusement device of novel structure and which, at the same time, will enable healthful exercise for developing the body.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is show'n in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a seesaw embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof having the upper portion of the post broken away and illustrating the oscillating beam in section. Fig. 3 is a detail view of an end portion of the oscillating beam showing the seat in section and the auxiliary seat moved inward by full lines and slipped outward by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the oscillatory beam and stand, showing the intermediate yielding means.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The device comprises an upright l and a suitable stand, the latter consisting of a base 2 and braces 3. The base 2 is cruciform and constructed of two boards arranged to cross each other at a right angle. The braces 3 extend from the end portions of the boards to the adjacent sides of the upright and are rigidly attached at their ends to the respective boards. The upright l may consist of a single post, but is preferably formed of a series of planks or strips arranged side by side and firmly joined, the intermediate strip or strips terminating a distance from the upper end of the upright to form a space to receive the oscillating beam 4. Extensions 5 are provided at opposite sides of the upright and support springs 6 or like yielding means, whereby the oscillation of the beam 4 is assisted.

The oscillating beam 4 is mounted upon a pin 7 which connects the upper end portions of the pieces comprising the upright. A series of notches 8 are provided in the lower edge of the beam 4 to receive the pin or like supporting means 7 and admit of adjusting the beam according to the weight placed upon opposite ends thereof so as to nearly equalize or distribute the same. The oscillating beam is composed of two `thereby maintaining the position thereof.

members which are'placed side by side and have their end portions spread and provided at their extremities with seats 9. This arrangement results in a firm and rigid structure and obviates in a great measure lateral displacement of the oscillating beam when the device is in use. The members of the beam 4 consists of strips which are arranged with their greatest width perpendicular, hence they are well adapted for sustaining vertical pressure and strain. The construction and arrangement of the members comprising the beam also admits of their outer ends being spread. The seats 9 are preferably fixed and are secured to the spread ends of the members comprising the beam 4, Other seats l0 have adjustable connection with the main seats 9 and are slidable thereunder and are adapted to be drawn outward when required for use. The auxiliary seats l0 may be held in place by suitable means, such for instance as keepers ll which are secured to the bottom side of the seats 9. The yielding means 6 for assisting the operation of the beam 4 preferably consist of coil springs and are mounted upon rods l2 which are longitudinally movable in openings 14 formed in the projections 5. The upper ends of the springs or yielding means are adapted to engage with the lower side of the oscillating beam, whereas their lower ends obtain a purchase upon the projections 5. The rods l2 bear against the under side of the beam 4 and move in the openings 14 formed in the projections orjblocks 5 as the beam oscillates, said rods being moved upward by the springs 6 as they expand.

By having the end portions of the oscillating beam spread and the seats connected to the separate ends, the feet of the pleasure seekers using the device, pass between said separate portions of the beam, thereby equaliaing the load upon the beam and preventing the users from falling off laterally. Should the weight at one end of the beam be excessive, the beam may be lifted and moved so as to bring the pin 7 nearer the heavier end, thereby providing for proportional differences of leverage approximating the differences in the weight imposed upon opposite ends of the beams. As the beam is oscillated in the act oi seesawing or teetering, the yielding means or springs 6 are alternately compressed, thereby modifying and adding to the ease and pleasure derived from use of the device.

A bar 13 is pivotally connected at one end to the oscillating beam near one of the main seats 9 and is adapted to be turned into an, approximately vertical position to form a support to add to the ease and comfort of mounting and dismounting. When the device is in operation, the bar or support 13 is turned so as to lie along side of the oscillating beam and is secured at its free end preferably by means of a hook and eye, the latter being indicated at 14.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. In an amusement device of the character specified, the combination of an oscillating beam having its end portions comprising gradually spreading members, and seats secured to the outer ends of said spread members.

2. In an amusement device of the character set forth, the combination of an oscillating beam, seats at the outer ends of said beam, and auxiliary seats having adjustable connection with the first mentioned seats and adapted to slide thereunder so as to be out of the way when not re quired for immediate use.

A scesaw comprising a standard having opposite projections in which are formed upwardly extending openings,

an oscillating beam, means for adjustably mounting said beam upon the standard, seats at opposite ends of the oscillating beam and adjustable lengthwise thereof, springs interposed between the aforementioned projections of the standard and the oscillating beam, and rods bearing against the under side of the beam and passed through said springs and longitudinally movable in the openings formed in the aforesaid opposite projections of the standard.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of witnesses.

JOHN G. FOUTS. [n s.]

Witnesses F. K. HAMMERS, THORNTON W. SARGENT, D.. T. PaRKINsoN, 

